Refractometers

[Ernest T Bass]

I have been reading and shopping refractometers on the internet. The ones I have been looking at range from $25.00 to $50.00. The only thing that I have determined is that it shoul be temperature compensated. It's hard to find a model number on them so you can compare quality and prices. The $25.00 ones are ATC as well as the $50.00 ones. Any suggestions on which one or ones are best in that price range.
Thanks
Semper Fi

 

[dralarms]

I think I got the 50.00 one. Works great, just remember to calibrate once in a while.

 

[Scott]

I have the $25 one with ATP and it works great for what I use it for. Can't compare it to any others though haven't tried them.
Heck can't cost that much to ship, if ya want to try it out let me know.

 

[Boatboy24]

Dumb question: What does the refractometer tell you that a hydrometer doesn't? They both basically measure sugar, right?

 

[Scott]

You only need a couple of drops to read the brix level.

 

[dralarms]

And its easier then trying to read the hydrometer through the foam.

 

[seth8530]

Or when you have a bunch of grapes... Works great for that. Just keep in mind that alcohol skews the reading.

 

[Boatboy24]

That's what I was thinking. Thanks all. You've now given me a new toy to put on the list.

 

[JetJockey]

All the refractometers I see only go down to (1.000). When I've been doing my dragon blood batches, I get readings on the hydrometer of 0.988 and often below 1.000. How do you know if it's completely dry if the reading only goes to 1.000?

 

[dralarms]

Refractometers are designed for pre fermentation, not post fermentation. The alcohol can screw with your readings. Post fermentation you should not have foam.

 

[JetJockey]

So what does one use to determine when a wine is dry (after fermentation) that is more accurate than the hydrometer, especially when trying to read the meniscus in a dark red wine against the small hydrometer scale?

 

[Wade E]

Without spending massive amounts money there really isnt any other options.